The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-06-27
ATKINsoN'S
Great Business Established by
TWO Years Work.

tWS tSdfS WORN
Portland people are not generally aware of
the immense business done by the branch
house in this city of the furniture establish
ment of B. A. Atkinson & Co., of Boston.
Under the management of Mr.. Isaac Akin
son, the Portland business in two years has
increased at such a rate that two stores on
Middle street, including the upper floors
and Easements are required for its accom-
mediation, and do not afford any too much
room. A reporter for the PRESS visited the
main store in the Donnell Building, on the
corner of Middle aud Pearl streets, Saturday
and heard from Mr. Atkinson the story OF
the progress of the great industry under his
control.
In the Spring of 1885, knowing that the
Grand Army reunion was to be held in Port
land during the Summer, Mr.. Atkinson con-
cluded that then was the time to try the ex-
pertinent of establishing the branch store in
the Forest City. He accordingly came to
Portland on Wednesday, May 4, made the
necessary arrangements and returned to Bos-
ton on Thursday. Saturday night the goods
were shipped by boat, and upon arrival here
were hauled to the store in the Donnell
Building A salesman and shipper came
from Boston on the Sunday evening train
and on Wednesday, May IL, Mr.. Atkinson
opened his doors for business, with fear and
trembling. The store was opened at $50 a.
m, and before a. m, there were $44 in the
drawer. AT that time, the stock consisted of
parlor suits, chamber sets, carpets, mats
rugs, lounges, easy chairs and ranges, in a
conglomerate mass on the lower floor of the
building. The basement was occupied by
o Their parties, except space ten feet square
As the business grew, the whole of the base
ment was secured and converted into ship
ping room, and department for stoves and
ranges. Business kept booming, and early
in the fall of 1885, Mr.. Atkinson took pos
session of the second flor. In the Spring of
1886, more room was needed and the lease of
the Portland Paper Box Company of the
third and fourth floor were purchased. Later
fifth floor was put into the building giving
five floors and basement, each ITO by so
feet.
But even this did not give room enough,
and during 1886 the first floor and the base
meen of the building No. 149 Middle street
was secured. Early in the Spring, Mr.. At
kinson leased the two floors above the store
giving him in this building four floors, each
12o by 40 feet. The greater part of the ship
ping is done from this building, giving the
firm facilities for this purpose unexcelled by
any in the country.
When the business was started, bundles
were delivered with horse and buggy. Then
an express wagon was bought, and what lit
tie teaming could not be done with these
means, was hired done. The open buggy
and delivery wagon have been succeeded by
six horses with Concord wagons built espec-
tally for the business.
AT first the store contained no office. Since
then a counting room has been built and en-
larged four times to accommodate the rapid
ly increasing business. Besides this, private
offices have been constructed for Mr.. Akin
son and the correspondence clerk.
There are plenty of people who have no
idea of the quality of the immense stock in
the store. In carpets there is everything,
from Wilton to cheap cotton and wool.
There are sideb0ards ranging in price from
$500 to $40; dining-room chairs, from 1929 to
81 each; extension tables, S75 to $3.50. In
chamber furniture there ale sets ranging
from 500 to S15 in price. There is an eqnal
variety in parlor suits among the stock be-
ing many rare and costly articles.
MIR. Atkinson today employs fifty four per-
sons. There are nine book-keepers and
cashiers in the main Office, under charge of
Mr.. Frank n. Dean. Three shorthand
writer's assist Mr.. L. w. Daniels the corfes-
pondenee clerk. The shipping department
is in charge of Mr.. Edward Burnham. Capt.
Packham is at the head of the receiving de-
partment Mr.. Atkinson has been fortunate
in the selection of his statesmen, who are
Messrs. j. j. Emerson, l.. +. Dyer, A. j.
Morey, Henry Hester, Charles Newton. H.
r. Atkinson, Truman Hewson and NJ. f.
Winslow. Mr.. Austin s. Gay has charge of
the carpet and shade department. and Mr.
Stephen Cady of the stove department. Mr.
w. A. Kimball constantly travels from place
to place to adjust any differences which may
arise between the house and its customers,
as well as to make sales.
There are branch stores in Rockland and
Bar Harbor,and twenty-five agents in Maine
New Hampshire and Vermont. Mr. Atkinson
has q large trade in the Southern and West
ern States. He believes that Portland is
better shipping point than Boston, and sees
no reason why as large business should
not be done here as in the latter city. Last
year Mr., Atkinson's sales amounted to about
100000.
1t is understood that the Portland store
will sooner o1.later be Incorporated in stock
company to control seventeen stores in
Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont